The Kentucky Wildcats were 5-7 (2-6 SEC) overall in head coach Mark Stoops’ second season. The Wildcats went 5-1 in their first six games before finishing on a six-game losing streak.

Optimists will consider Kentucky’s season as a success after the team surpassed its combined win total from its previous two seasons. However, the Wildcats still need to fix several flaws to end their bowl drought.

Here are five areas Kentucky needs to improve most in 2015.

1. Special Teams: The Wildcats were abysmal in special teams coverage, allowing big returns for short field position. Kentucky ranked No. 100 in kickoff return defense and No. 114 in punt return coverage. The Wildcats allowed four special teams touchdowns, the most in the SEC. The team still needs to replace former special teams coach Craig Naivar, who accepted the same position at Houston in December.

2. Stability on offense: It took Kentucky several weeks to name Stanley “Boom” Williams, its leading rusher, its starting running back. The Wildcats roulette at tailback provided little success, ranking No. 77 overall in rushing offense. Kentucky’s offense saw several other positions struggle with depth, including wide receiver.

3. Find a No. 1 receiving option: Which leads us to this point. The Wildcats need to find a consistent No. 1 option in their passing attack. Ryan Timmons led the team with 536 yards on 45 receptions. Javess Blue had 525 yards and five touchdowns on 29 catches. But no player emerged as a consistent threat in the passing attack, which led to inconsistent passing numbers.

4. Patrick Towles progression: As mentioned, the Wildcats receivers were far from elite, but quarterback Patrick Towles was also a major factor in the team’s passing struggles. The redshirt sophomore finished fifth in the conference in passing yards, but benefited from early season passing numbers and a down year for SEC quarterbacks. Towles failed to throw for 200 yards in his last four games. The quarterback also threw zero touchdowns and three interceptions in his final two appearances.

5. Improve pass rush: Alvin “Bud” Dupree isn’t walking through that door, at least anymore. The senior will embark on a professional career and is projected to go in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft . But after giving his all to the Wildcats, the team must fill his void in its pass rush. Even with Dupree, Kentucky ranked No. 52 in team sacks and No. 91 in tackles for loss. Without the senior, the Wildcats are expected to see even less team success in the pass rush, unless an improvement is made this offseason.